Antihyperglycemic Effect and Antioxidant Property of Citrus Maxima Leaf in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antihyperglycemic activity of methanol extract of Citrus maxima leaf (MECM) in streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg b.w.) induced diabetic rats. Three days after STZ induction, diabetic rats received MECM orally at a dose of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 body weight daily for 15 days. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg kg-1 p.o.) was used as a reference drug. Blood glucose levels were measured on days 0, 4, 8 and 15. Serum biochemical parameters viz. SGOT, SGPT and ALP were estimated. The TBARS and GSH levels of the pancreas, kidney and liver were determined. MECM significantly (P<0.001) and in a dose dependent manner normalized blood glucose levels, serum biochemical parameters, decreased lipid peroxidation, and recovered GSH as compared to those of STZ control. The present study inferred that in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats, C. maxima leaf demonstrated a potential antihyperglycemic effect that might be attributed to its antioxidant property.